Keith Grable leaving job at University of Northern Colorado; Next up: Holy Family High School

Keith Grable leans against the goalpost at Nottingham Field, where he played and coached since 1996. (Photo: UNC Athletics).ROB_7767

Keith Grable’s name has been synonymous with the University of Northern Colorado football program for more than two decades.

Earlier this week, the former Bears wide receiver and assistant coach left the place he’s called home since 1996.

Although final details are still being worked out, Grable will presumably take on a teaching/coaching position at Holy Family High School in Broomfield.

“My last day (at UNC) was April 30th,” Grable confirmed. “I’ve made the decision (to change) so I can spend more time with my family … plus the opportunity I had presented to me was too good to pass up.”

A replacement for Grable is expected to be named in the next two months. His annual salary at UNC was $45,723.

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Grable, 42, began his playing career at UNC in 1996 in football and basketball alongside his identical twin brother, Dean, the boys basketball coach at Eaton for 15 seasons.

He was a standout wide receiver on the Bears’ 1996 and 1997 NCAA Division II national championship football teams, and earned All-Academic honors in 1998 and 1999.

Grable survived several head coaching changes at UNC, including the latest one in 2011 when Earnest Collins Jr., took over for Scott Downing, who was fired in after just five seasons as the Bears’ head coach.

Grable has also worked as an assistant coach at UNC for Kay Dalton and Joe Glenn.

He’s been a wide receivers coach, a running backs coach and the program’s recruiting coordinator.

“This move will allow me to be more of a husband and a dad,” Grable said. “I’m leaving UNC, but am extremely grateful to have coached my entire career so far at my alma mater at the college level.

“Making the change took a lot of thought and prayer with my wife (Susan) and we feel with the demands at the college level being more and more, this is a good time to take on a new adventure,” Grable added. “When Holy Family was the school that the opportunity came up at, it sealed the deal.”

While playing an instrumental role in UNC’s pair of Division II national titles, Grable’s name still appears among the leaders in the Bears’ record books.

His 1,965 career receiving yards is among the top 10, along with an 80-yard touchdown catch from former UNC quarterback Corte McGuffey against Adams State College in 1998. Grable averaged 19.42 yards-per-catch in the 1999 season and 16.51 yards for his career.

‘Family is always first,” said Grable, the father to sons Jaxon, 13; Ryan, 11; and Austin, 8.

“Being able to spend more time with my family is my top priority,” Grable added.